The Chinese government is deeply concerned about US investigations into tubular and pipe steel imported from China, the Ministry of Commerce (MOC) said yesterday.

Spokesman Yao Jian made the remarks in response to a decision by the US Department of Commerce on Wednesday to launch anti-dumping and countervailing duty investigations into specific types of Chinese steel pipes used in oil and gas drilling.

The case was filed earlier this month by US Steel and other manufacturers who say Chinese producers get government subsidies that help them export to the United States at unfairly low prices.